Ryan Talonovich is the star of his college hockey team, until an accident during practice leaves him confined to a wheelchair. The doctors say he'll walk again but a new season is already underway and he's been replaced on the team, which leaves him feeling alone and betrayed. What's the use of fighting to get back on the ice now?<br><br>Then he meets Dante Espinosa, a short track skater on the city's speed skating club. Though he has to work overtime to afford his sport, Dante is hell on ice, and dreams of making the cut on the U.S. Olympic Speedskating Team.<br><br>Their love of the ice brings them together, but too many obstacles stand in their way: Ryan's struggle with therapy. The memory of Dante's first boyfriend. Lack of funding to the event, Dante's harassing boss, a skating friend in love with him, and Wil Dietrich, who will do anything to win.

Power Play

Over dinner, Dante’s mother says, “So that’s Ryan.” It’s not a question and he’s not quite sure how to answer it, so he doesn’t reply. Instead he cuts the tortillas on his plate into tiny triangles, flattens them with his fork until the refried beans inside ooze out in a brown paste, and wonders what she thought of his boyfriend. What did she say? A little pale but that’s okay. Pretty hair. Lovely boy.“Is he always that shy?”


She nods as if that’s what she expected. “That’s good then,” she says, scooping a forkful of rice into her mouth. As she chews, she watches him thoughtfully and he wants to ask her what’s on her mind. “You say he’s in therapy?” she asks. “For his legs?”


Chapter 88